Thelytokous parthenogenesis by queens in the dacetine ant Pyramica membranifera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) |
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Authors: | Fuminori Ito Yoshifumi Touyama Ayako Gotoh Shungo Kitahiro Johan Billen |
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Affiliation: | (1) Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Ikenobe, Miki, Kagawa, 761-0795, Japan;(2) Shichifuku Co., Ltd., Hiroshima 732-0001, Japan;(3) Zoological Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, box 2466, 3000 Leuven, Belgium |
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Abstract: | Thelytokous parthenogenesis in which diploid females are produced from unfertilized eggs, was recently reported for some ant species. Here, we document thelytokous reproduction by queens in the polygynous species Pyramica membranifera. Queens that emerged in the laboratory were kept with or without workers under laboratory conditions. Independent colony founding was successful for a few queens if prey was provided. All artificial colonies, which started with a newly emerged queen and workers produced new workers and some of the colonies also produced female sexuals. Some of the female sexuals shed their wings in the laboratory and started formation of new polygynous colonies. Workers had no ovaries and thus, were obligatorily sterile. |
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